Filet Mignon in Mushroom Wine Sauce
This recipe combines tender filet mignon with a rich and flavorful mushroom wine sauce, perfect for a special occasion.
Ingredients:
- For the steaks:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 (6-ounce) filet mignon steaks, about 1-inch thick
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- For the mushroom wine sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup dry red wine (such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cooking Guide:
- Prepare the steaks: Pat the steaks dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper on all sides. Let them come to room temperature for 30 minutes for even cooking (optional).
- Sear the steaks: Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering hot. Sear the steaks for 2-3 minutes per side for a nice crust, depending on your desired doneness (125°F for rare, 135°F for medium-rare). Remove the steaks from the pan and set aside on a plate, tenting loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Make the mushroom sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan. Add the shallot and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add the mushrooms and cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Deglaze and simmer: Pour in the red wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (deglazing). Let the wine simmer for 3-4 minutes, or until reduced by half. Add the beef broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for another 5 minutes, or until slightly reduced.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for another minute or two, until it thickens slightly.
- Serve: Spoon the mushroom wine sauce over the cooked steaks. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs (optional) and serve immediately.
Tips:
- For a richer sauce, you can use some of the pan drippings from searing the steaks. After transferring the steaks, add a tablespoon of butter to the pan and whisk in the pan drippings. Then, proceed with adding the shallot and mushrooms.
- If the sauce gets too thick, you can thin it out with a splash of additional beef broth or water.
- If you don’t have fresh thyme, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon of dried thyme.
- To cook the steaks to a specific internal temperature, use a meat thermometer. Here’s a guide:
- Rare: 125°F (52°C)
- Medium-rare: 135°F (57°C)
- Medium: 145°F (63°C)
- Medium-well: 155°F (68°C)
- Well-done: 160°F (71°C)
- You can substitute other types of mushrooms for the cremini mushrooms, such as white button mushrooms, portobello mushrooms, or a mixture.
- This recipe can be easily doubled to serve more people.
- Enjoy your delicious Filet Mignon in Mushroom Wine Sauce!